The Cult - Leeds Beckett University

In their ‘Sonic Temple’ pomp, I viewed The Cult as a somewhat preposterous proposition. Too metal, too overblown. Nevertheless, I couldn’t love anyone who didn’t think that dancing on a table to ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ at full blast was the pinnacle of human pleasure. It was then and it still is now. No argument.

Colin Stetson/Juffage @ Howard Assembly Rooms

Chaotic and unpolished. Two adjectives that would be mud to many an artist but those who’ve caught Juffage’s live sets over the years will know that they are his bread and butter. In the moodily lit, wood-pannelled glory of the Howard Assembly Rooms, his music is both out of place and right at home in the same instant...

Asian Dub Foundation present La Haine @ Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds

As if the Howard Assembly Rooms wasn’t already one of Leeds’ most innovative venues for diverse music and art, tonight is a double helping of greatness as Asian Dub Foundation recreate their highly acclaimed score to Matthieu Kassowitz’s rasping, controversial drama La Haine...

Dancing Years, Brudenell Social Club

“We’re always nervous when we play as to whether anyone is actually going to turn up”, announces David Henshaw – a somewhat unfounded concern given that the Brudenell is packed to the rafters tonight for beloved local troop, Dancing Years. This is the first home gig the band have played in months and as a preview of their new EP Learn to Kiss, there’s evident anticipation.

Villagers/Holly Macve @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

O’Brien - a curious, child-like figure - carries an otherworldly presence as a performer, a mysticism that’s hard to define. The dark and vivid imagery he conjures through his lyrics swiftly sucks us into his deep and fiery world...

Yorkshire Riffer 4 @ Temple of Boom, Leeds

Mr Yorkshire Riffer Paul Priest continues to mine his massive network of connections throughout the underground UK metal and hardcore scene to put together yet another line up that delivers minimal repetition from previous Riffers and with no diminution in the quality of the brutal, crushing, rifferama on show....

Public Service Broadcasting, All We Are @ The Refectory, Leeds University

‘Look at them…’ says my friend beside me, ‘they know nothing about the British Documentary Movement.’ He is addressing the capacity crowd at The Refectory with thinly veiled… nay, forget the veil, contempt because it is true that we hate it when our friends get famous. It was barely two years ago that we watched them in The Brudenell Social Club, touring their debut album ‘Inform, Educate, Entertain’, playing to a room full of the select few who had heard them on 6music and had got all dewey eyed about Airfix models and Commando comics. Now geek is chic and everyone wants a piece of the PSB action… but they don’t get it like us…

2016: The Year CHUNK Broke @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

For anyone who doesn’t know yet, Chunk is a music/art collective providing a rehearsal/gallery/venue space on the Hyde Park/Meanwood borders and is currently cradling an extremely fertile group of musicians and artists responsible for some of the best cutting edge left field rock and extreme metal bands in Leeds just now...

Dual confession – this is my first Independent Venue Week and my first 360 club. I know. I’m surprised Richard didn’t deck me on the spot. But he didn’t, as if he had I would have missed a cracking line up. Which I didn’t. Which is good.

Petrol Girls, Atterkop, Personal Best @ Wharf Chambers, Leeds

I try not to go out too much in January – too cold, too dark, too wintry, too full of people ‘enjoying’ Dry January – but occasionally something comes along that I am advised will be worth coming out of hibernation for, even if there is a door tax involved. This better be good… well, at least they have IPA…

Skullflower/Andrew King/Tor Invocation Band @ Inkfolk, Hebden Bridge

It's always sad when creative, innovative promoters hang up their worry beads and opt for a more peaceful, saner life. This was the last gig put on by Hebden Bridge based outfit Was Ist Das?, as one man operator Ned sets about emigrating to the US. Markets don't come more niche than the uncompromising art, noise and improv WID? specialised in, and the region will be culturally the poorer for its passing.

Crooked Styx @ Verve Bar, Leeds

Castleford based band Crooked Styx rock out Verve Bar on Saturday night with their rock and blues sound. The young trio make a big noise with their original set and amazing talent. They begin with ‘Work’ a great song that catches people’s ears with it’s rhythmatic guitar rift and classic blues/rock sound.

Killing Joke Leeds Beckett University 4th November 2015

Midway through Killing Joke’s performance a huge bear of a man hurtles into me, all beard and sweat, grabs my shoulders, fixes my gaze and yells into my face ‘I AM THE VIRUS! I AM THE VIRUS!’ It’s unnerving, a little bit intimidating and not the stuff of my normal Wednesday evening.